Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has initiated a new health project in the Southwest Ethiopia Region, a move that indicates the organization's commitment to providing healthcare amidst the ongoing medical challenges faced by the local population. Launched in 2025 after thorough assessments, the project aims to cater to over three million residents in the area, many of whom are at high risk of malaria, measles, cholera, and various other infectious diseases.

The primary objective of the new project is to create an agile health response capacity tailored to the specific needs of remote communities that experience vulnerability during periodic health crises. By boosting the local healthcare system’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks, MSF seeks to enhance the overall access to higher-quality, free healthcare services for these underserved populations. This initiative reflects MSF's broader strategy to ensure not only immediate responses to health emergencies but also long-term improvements in health provision within the region.

Currently, MSF is collaborating with local health facilities, including the Jemu and Aday Ababa health centres and the Bachuma Primary hospital. The focus of these operations is on strengthening the capacity for health referrals, ensuring preparedness for emergencies, enhancing infection prevention and control protocols, and improving water, sanitation, and hygiene practices. Such comprehensive measures are essential in mitigating the health risks that the local communities face, particularly in times of crisis.